Then before kick-off, the PA announcer was so revved up you'd think he'd necked 10 cans of Carabao, official match sponsor of the home team as well as domestic cup competition with messy draws, as he tried all possible to roar the home fans to life. And then there was Jaap Stam's programme pleas for the home fans to give his players "all their support".

In what was their first home game in four weeks - and a crucial one at that - you got the impression Reading were trying all possible to turn their support into a twelfth man. Or 13th, as they were listen on the team sheet.

Halfway through the first half and home the fans were that silent that, when the Boro fans stopped singing for a split second breather, you'd have been able to hear the crack of a Carabao can being opened in the opposite stand.

The 1,913 away fans situated behind that net that Leadbitter rippled with the spot-kick? They were in full flow. The song-book had been handed around and the chants were being belted out one after another.

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Given some recent rumbles of discontent, had this not gone to plan, it would have been interesting to see how the fans who'd made the long trip would have responded.

Instead, an initial echo of 'Woke up this morning feeling fine', turned into a stand-wide rallying cry. But the real roar of appreciation was saved for Britt Assombalonga.

After committing the callous act(?) of being fouled in the box and winning a penalty, the home fans made Assombalonga the enemy of the day, jeering and booing his every touch. The problem for those in blue and white in the Madejski, though, was the fact it just seemed to spur the striker on.

His tireless display of non-stop running would have made for the perfect energy drink advert, but I think we've had more than enough Carabao references already, don't you?

Anyway, every time the Reading fans booed him, the Boo fans responded in style.

"Do do do, Britt Assombalonga".

Boro's fans at Reading

Then the goal. Then the chant again. But louder.

From that moment onwards, the three points were secure and the Boro fans roared and chanted their way through the last 10 minutes, perhaps slightly fuelled by relief that these vital points were in the bag.

But for one young fan in the Boro end, the best was yet to come.

As the players made their way over to applaud the travelling fans at full-time, Assombalonga and Braithwaite and Brazilian full-back Fabio hopped the advertising hoardings, opened a gate and started climbing the steps up into the Boro stand.

Off came their match shirts, handed over to buzzing fans who welcomed them with open arms.